Wagon-train co-leader, victim
John T. 'Jack' Baker
c.1805–1857
1 topic · 4 dated events
Their part in each topic
The Mountain Meadows Massacre
Wagon-train co-leader, victim
Baker led the Arkansas contingent that gave the company the other half of its name. His body was one of the few later recognizable at the site: his granddaughter Rebecca Dunlap identified him weeks afterward by his long beard, lying unburied. His widow Mary Baker took charge of three orphaned grandchildren when they were returned to Arkansas in 1859.
In the timeline
4 events across 1 topics, chronological. Only events this person was actually part of — present at, responsible for, or the subject of — not every event where the name comes up.
The Baker–Fancher company reaches Salt Lake City
The Arkansas company, roughly 120 to 140 people led by John T. Baker and Alexander Fancher and travelling with a large cattle herd, camped near Salt Lake City. Advised to go north around the Great Salt Lake, they turned back at the Bear River and took the southern road instead, through Provo, Springville, Payson and Fillmore.
Cedar City refuses to supply the company
The company reached Cedar City, the last settlement on the road where grain could be ground and supplies bought. The store had little to sell; Bishop Philip Klingensmith's mill charged an extreme price to grind their wheat. Angry words followed; the town marshal tried to arrest some of the men for intoxication and blasphemy and was faced down. The company left after about an hour.
The first attack and the siege beginhinge
At dawn the emigrants were fired on in their camp at Mountain Meadows. Several were killed and others wounded; the company circled and dug in, banking earth against the wagon wheels, and held out for days with no access to the spring. Attackers had painted themselves; survivors later said they saw the paint washed off in the creek. James Haslam left Cedar City for Salt Lake City between five and six that evening.
The massacrehinge
William Bateman carried a white flag to the corral. Lee entered and offered terms: give up the weapons, load the wounded into wagons, and walk out under militia escort. The emigrants, out of water and low on ammunition, accepted. The youngest children and wounded went first in two wagons, then the women and children on foot, then the men, each walking beside an armed militiaman. At a prearranged signal the militiamen turned and fired. Roughly 120 people were killed. Seventeen children, all six or under, were spared.
Appears alongside
People who share the most dated events with John T. 'Jack' Baker.
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